Wilmington-area fantasy writer Nancy A. Collins will be the guest Sunday (Oct. 27) on “North Carolina Bookwatch,” the weekly literary talk show on UNC Public Television. In the repeat segment — obviously chosen for the Halloween season — Collins will talk with host D.G. Martin about her 2011 book “Left Hand Magic,” part of her series dealing with Golgotham, the New York City neighborhood where most of the witches, werewolves, leprechauns and other supernatural creatures live. “Bookwatch” will air at… Read More »

Looking for the next dark thriller, now that you’ve finished “Gone Girl”? My wife recommends “Close My Eyes,” the latest novel from British writer Sophie McKenzie (St. Martin’s, $25.99). Its heroine Geniver has never quite recovered from losing a baby in childbirth eight years earlier. Her writing has dribbled to a halt and she lives in a near-constant state of depression. Her husband, Art, is pushing for the couple to Try Again, and they’ve been visiting a fertility clinic, but… Read More »

About This Blog

This is an emporium for all things literary: occasional book reviews, local book news, items about authors (mostly from the Cape Fear area but occasional visitors) and miscellaneous rants.

The usual author is Ben Steelman, feature writer and book columnist for the Star-News. He’s that shaggy, slightly smelly character you spot lurking in the back aisles of your local bookstore. Physically, he has more than a passing resemblance to Ignatius J. Reilly, hero of John Kennedy Toole’s “A Confederacy of Dunces” — some observers have noted other parallels as well.